Ranking All The ESPN Bracket Buster Matchups

Butler surprised everyone by making it to the national title game last year.  

Its overall performance in March Madness certainly wasn't a surprise, and those who saw them defeat Siena during their Bracket Buster game knew they could play just as well outside of their conference.

Each year, ESPN holds an annual event around the time the NBA All-Star weekend takes place.  It's called Bracket Busters, 11 games that mix top teams from one- or two-bid conferences that aren't a part of the BCS.  All these games are broadcast on ESPN2 and ESPNU Friday through Sunday.

It hasn't received a whole lot of fanfare this year, and that's because there's only one team that's ranked in the AP poll.  That's Utah State at 25.

That's what makes this year's Bracket Busters even more interesting.  There are multiple candidates out there that can make a run to destroy the common man's bracket everywhere.  

George Mason, Wichita State and Cleveland State are just a few of the teams that could do it.  Some teams in these match-ups are just a win away from becoming a possible at-large candidate.

The question is: which games to watch?  If you're a fan of a BCS school, obviously you'll be following them and what the conference is doing.  

Here's a list ranking all the match-ups from worst to best.  Each preview will give you quick stats on each team and a quick synopsis on the matchup and what it means in the big picture of things.

All games listed will be played this Saturday unless noted.

Time: 3 p.m. ET
TV: ESPNU

Iona Resume

• Mid Atlantic Athletic Conference
• Third place in standings
• 11-5 record in conference, 17-10 overall
• RPI: 113
• Have won four straight games.

Liberty Resume

• Big South Conference
• Second place in standings
• 13-3 record in conference, 19-9 overall
• RPI: 131

It may not mean much in the grand scheme of things, but the Iona Gaels are playing great right now and are giving a reason to actually give this game a watch.  

The MAAC is a decent conference even without Siena at the top dominating like it has the last couple years.  

Iona currently is tied with Rider by conference record and will try and get the second seed in their conference tournament, as Fairfield is out of reach. 

Time: 11 a.m. ET
TV: ESPNU

Hofstra Resume

• Colonial Athletic Association
• Fourth place in standings
• 12-4 conference record, 18-9 overall
• RPI: 88
• Have won four straight games.

Wright State Resume

• Horizon League
• Fifth place in standings
• 10-7 conference record, 17-2 overall
• RPI: 115
• Have lost three straight games.

The CAA has five teams in the Bracket Busters that will be seen on the ESPN family of networks.

If there was any justice to the system, this conference would have four teams with at-large bids.  Even if they did, Hofstra would be the last team selected, which means they still have work to do.  

Problem is, even with the Horizon League getting the spotlight thanks to Butler, a win over Wright State wouldn't do anything for them.  

With the Pride not being able to beat any of the better teams in the NCAA and two easy teams left in the conference, they're just trying to hold onto the fourth spot in their conference tournament.

Time: 1 p.m. ET
TV: ESPNU

Austin Peay Resume

• Ohio Valley Conference
• Third in standings
• 11-5 conference record, 17-11 overall
• RPI: 133

Fairfield Resume

• Mid Atlantic Athletic Association
• First in standings
• 14-2 conference record, 21-5 overall
• RPI: 103
• Have won three straight games

Fairfield is enjoying a year in the MAAC where Siena isn't top dog.  Austin Peay hasn't been living up to its potential and have fallen in the standings.

They've been in an offensive slump, barely getting over 60 points in their games.  The only problems with this matchup is low RPIs and neither of these teams are really interesting.

Time: 11 p.m. ET
TV: ESPN2

Montana Resume

• Big Sky Conference
• First in standings
• 11-3 conference record, 19-7 overall
• RPI: 111
• Have won three straight games

Long Beach State Resume

• Big West Conference
• First in standings
• 11-2 conference record, 16-10 overall
• RPI: 99
• Have won five straight games

Long Beach State hasn't received much love for their success.  This has been a solid program that is usually on the winning side and are finally back in the Bracket Buster games.

Both teams are playing at a high level currently, and while neither team has potential to get an at-large spot, this should be a fun game.  At the very least, it will keep you awake as a nightcap.

Time: 9 p.m. ET (Friday)
TV: ESPNU

Kent State Resume

• Mid-American Conference
• Second in East Division standings
• 8-3 conference record, 17-8 overall
• RPI: 94

Drexel Resume

• Colonial Athletic Association
• Sixth in standings
• 9-7 conference record, 17-9 overall
• RPI: 81

Drexel's high RPI shows that this team has had a tougher road than other CAA teams and still unfortunately finds themselves in sixth place.

 It also shows that the CAA is a very good conference and reason they deserve more than just a couple at-large bids.  

While Drexel was playing better earlier this season, this game still is an interesting test for Kent State to see how good they really are.  The MAC is not a good conference this year. 

Time: 7 p.m. ET
TV: ESPN2

George Mason Resume

• Colonial Athletic Association
• First in standings
• 14-2 conference record, 22-5 overall
• RPI: 21
• Have won 12 straight games

Northern Iowa Resume

• Missouri Valley Conference
• Third in standings
• 10-6 conference record, 19-9 overall
• RPI: 79

A few weeks ago, this game could have been the best game of the whole weekend.  Now, unfortunately, UNI has been hit with some injuries and haven't been playing as well as they could be.  

Also, George Mason is playing at an incredibly high level.  Some even say this is a better team than the one that made the Final Four in 2006.  They're certainly playing like they can in one of the best non-BCS conference in the nation.

Time: 5 p.m. ET
TV: ESPNU

Vermont Resume

• American East Conference
• First in standings
• 13-2 conference record, 22-5 overall
• RPI: 74
• Have won 10 straight games

Charleston Resume

• Southern Conference (SoCon)
• First in Southern Division standings
• 13-2 conference record, 20-7 overall
• RPI: 77
• Have won five straight games

This should be a really fun game.  Vermont's taken a few teams for a ride in the big dance as of late and has been dominating the American East.  

Charleston was the biggest thorn during Davidson's run and continues to have success in their conference.  

An at-large bid may be just a little out of reach for either of these teams should they not win their conference tournament, but the winner out of this one will continue their great streak back into conference play. 

Time: 7 p.m. ET (Friday)
TV: ESPN2

Virginia Commonwealth Resume

• Colonial Athletic Association
• Third in standings
• 12-4 conference record, 20-8 overall
• RPI: 62

Wichita State Resume

• Missouri Valley Conference
• First in standings
• 13-3 conference record, 22-5 overall
• RPI: 48

VCU is another solid CAA team, but may be playing themselves out of at-large contention after dropping their last two games.  

Wichita State should be a lock for an at-large bid should they not win the MVC, and they'll certainly be tested by the other two MVC teams that are in the Bracket Buster games on the ESPN family of networks.

This is VCU's last shot at trying to be eligible for an at-large bid, and for Wichita State, they should lock one up with a win.

Time: 5 p.m. ET
TV: ESPN2

Missouri State Resume

• Missouri Valley Conference
• Second in standings
• 13-3 conference record, 21-6 overall
• RPI: 49
• Have won four straight games

Valparaiso Resume

• Horizon League
• Second in standings
• 11-4 conference record, 19-8 overall
• RPI: 53

This is a sneaky great game that kicks off the action on ESPN2 this Saturday.  Missouri State should have enough to get an at-large bid, but this win for them would help tremendously.

Even though both the MVC and Horizon League have three teams spotlight in the TV games for Bracket Busters, the Horizon League is not as good.

Valparaiso's RPI is good, but I think they need to win this game to have a small shot at an at-large opportunity, and even then, it's a stretch.

Time: 9 p.m. ET
TV: ESPN2

Utah State Resume

• Western Athletic Conference
• First in standings
• 12-0 conference record, 24-2 overall
• RPI: 23
• 25th in AP Poll
• Have won 19 straight games

St. Mary's (Calif.) Resume

• West Coast Conference
• First in standings
• 10-2 conference record, 22-5 overall
• RPI: 40
• Lost to last-place San Diego on Wednesday

Utah State is clearly the spotlight team in the whole Bracket Buster bunch and the only real advertising I've seen has been on this game.  It took a slight hit with St. Mary's having a lackluster game against a really bad San Diego team and falling.  

In defense, it was a road game and it's hard to get excited for a last place team.  St. Mary's could have been looking ahead, and really...who wouldn't?

This game should be exactly as advertised and a good chance for the West Coast to show their talents to the committee.  Unless St. Mary's loses every game here on out, both teams will make the tournament.

Time: 1 p.m. ET (Sunday)
TV: ESPN2 

Cleveland State Resume

• Horizon League
• First in standings
• 12-4 conference record, 23-5 overall
• RPI: 35

Old Dominion Resume

• Colonial Athletic Association
• Second in standings
• 12-4 conference record, 21-6 overall
• RPI: 30
• Have won three straight games

Last but definitely not least on the list of Bracket Buster games.  It's unbelievable how overlooked this game will be, and I think it's a sham that is being played on Sunday.  

Still, at RPIs above 40, these teams should be at-large candidates regardless of what happens in the conference tournaments and will only increase their stock with a victory here.